In waterboarding trial, Morse denies abusing girl

Says he wasn't torturing child, just washing hair

6:19 AM,
Feb. 11, 2014

Melvin L. Morse

Written by

James Fisher
The News Journal

The former pediatrician accused of abusing his companion's daughter with torture techniques took the stand Monday to explain how he cared for the girl and the difficulties she faced in her young life.

Melvin Morse, 60, took the stand in the eighth day of his trial on assault and endangerment charges.

His companion, Pauline Morse; her daughter, now 12, and other prosecution witnesses have painted Morse as a father figure who delivered harsh punishment to the girl seemingly at random while favoring her younger sister, who was biologically Morse's child. ...